Sydney | 1 May 2026 | The Madeline Stuart Dance Company (MSDC), in partnership with the Australian Cheer Union (ACU), has returned from the ICU World Championships in Orlando, USA, with a historic result for Australia’s inclusive sport community.
MSDC achieved double gold, winning:
- Gold in Special Abilities Hip Hop (SAHH)
- Gold in Special Olympics Independent Hip Hop (SOHH)
Across all senior categories, Australia secured a total of 5 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals, with MSDC contributing two gold medals to the national tally.
Australia finished second overall to the United States, however MSDC delivered a historic achievement as the only Australian team to defeat the USA, who topped the medal table with 18 medals across all divisions.
The result marks a defining moment for inclusive performance sport, with MSDC’s 100% disability teams not only competing on the world stage for the first time but winning at the highest level against long-established international programs.
Founder Madeline Stuart said the victory represents the culmination of a long-held vision for fully inclusive competitive pathways.
“After going to the ICU last year as part of the Australian Cheer Union’s unified team all I wanted was to be part of a 100% disability team. We watched Team USA last year who had been competing for years in the SOHH division and thought if we had the opportunity, we could potentially win gold for Australia. Then late last year the Australian Cheer Union approached us to send two studio teams over in both SOHH and SAHH to be part of their national team, such an amazing moment.
To come home with 2 gold medals and to know our team beat Team USA is beyond amazing. I am so proud of my classmates. This is something we will celebrate for many years to come, and we also get to perform it for the rest of MSDC at our mid-year concert in June. All our families that didn’t get to come to the USA will see it then. So exciting.”
The result follows MSDC’s landmark debut earlier this year, where the company became Australia’s first-ever 100% disability teams to compete at the ICU World Championships.
Now, that debut has evolved into international success, cementing MSDC’s position as a global leader in inclusive dance and performance sport.
About the Madeline Stuart Dance Company
The Madeline Stuart Dance Company is one of Australia’s pioneering fully inclusive national dance, drama and drumming companies, providing performers of all abilities with access to high-quality training, creative expression and performance opportunities. For the past 10 years, MSDC has built pathways that support confidence, wellbeing and professional development, and is widely recognised for its leadership in inclusive arts practice.
About the Australian Cheer Union
The Australian Cheer Union is the national governing body for cheerleading and cheer sport in Australia, responsible for developing and supporting athletes across all divisions including adaptive and inclusive categories.
Madeline Stuart is an internationally recognised model, performer and advocate who rose to global prominence as the world’s first professional supermodel with Down syndrome. Over the past decade, she has worked across fashion, media and the arts to challenge stereotypes and expand visibility for people with disabilities, using her platform to advocate for inclusion, representation and opportunity in Australia and internationally.
About the ICU World Championships
The ICU World Championships is a world-class, Olympic-sanctioned event held from 22-24 April 2026 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, USA. The competition brings together thousands of athletes from nearly 30 countries and will be broadcast internationally on the official Olympic sports channel.
The Championships feature elite divisions across Team Performance Cheer including Hip Hop, Pom and Jazz, alongside Premier and Elite divisions in Cheer and Performance Cheer. The event also features Junior World divisions and specialised school championships, with each nation permitted one entry per division. Alongside the mainstream categories, the Championships include Adaptive Abilities and Special Abilities divisions, providing athletes of all abilities the opportunity to represent their country on one of the world’s biggest stages.